Unique Australian Cuisine

[adventure eater]

I am planning a trip to Austrlia in the coming weeks and I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for some local foods that are really different. I'll be going through Sydney, Melbourne and along the great barrier reef. I'd appreciate any recommendations for authentic Aussie food!

[rootie]

Don't miss the Red Emperor fish. Stunning. Barramundi is great as well. And the yabbies and Moreton Bay bugs.

[purple goddess]

In Melbourne, there is a SOLE food resto that uses only local produce.. including all the herbs and spices...

http://solemama.freeforums.org//viewt...

Lots of good recs on farmers markets over there as well.

[hahauuk]

My advice would also check out any farmers markets that happen to be on. Often there are many farmers/producers who like to value-add by growing native or bush tucker crops that they sell at these markets.

If you are stopping in Cairns take a trip to Cape TribTropical Fruit Farm (http://www.capetrib.com.au/) as they do tastings. If you've never tried a mangosteen or a soursop or rollinia this is the place for you....

Other than that I can only concur with kmh and sample crocodile, kangaroo (both often available in supermarkets or good butchers to take home and prepare yourself) and find restaurants that prepare food using bush tucker ingredients.

Depending on your itinery try finding a tour conducted by indigenous people who may take you bush where you can experience real bush tucker.

[PhilD]

Have you done a search? This question gets asked all the time.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/540934

[adventure eater]

I am looking for something beyond Asian food. I'd like to try something really off the wall. I know there are exotic foods in the outback, but I am hoping to find something that is native to Sydney or Melbourne.

[kmh]

Back to what Phil said - have you looked at the other boards?

It's not clear by what you expect of "authentic aussie food" - we are a migrant population "colonised" 210 years ago. Food melds much of these cultures.

What are REALLY DIFFERENT FOODS? I mean you could try licking the back of a cane toad for kicks, but I wouldn't recommend it if you want to enjoy your holiday.

Native to Sydney - Sydney School prawns, hawkesbury Calamari, lily pily berries.

Native to GBR - mud crabs (not on the reef per se), groper, spotted cod, angel fish, reef fish generally.

Roo and Crocodile are eaten, although we don't really make the skin into trinkets for the customer while you eat your food.

You should find Sanctodamkier or whatever his name is on these boards. he had a similar outlook to you.

[PhilD]

Well you could also check out this tread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/493204

However, think of it this way. What would your reply be if we asked you to recomend food that is native to NYC or LA? Both Melbourne and Sydney are large cities with poppulations of 4 to 6 million, the food in these cities reflects the culture/heritage of the poppulations i.e. asian, greek, italian, english etc etc.